The white line from Clinic Five tightened when Jori tried to swallow.
Jade saw it pass through the yellow speaking tube, cross the floor beside Ruvan's boot, and wind twice around Ty's chain. The pull lifted Jori's cough through the tube before Talli Ren could strike the clinic bell.
Jade caught the mouthpiece.
"Talli, set Jori's cup down before he swallows."
Ceramic struck wood at the other end. Jori coughed twice, then managed enough air to insult whoever had tilted the cup.
"He blames my wrist because his throat keeps choosing the cup sideways, and I have already checked every strap twice."
Talli's answer came between the sounds of buckles being checked.
"His throat changed when the oldest stake vanished."
The line around Ty's chain drew tighter. His two cracked ribs pressed against the crossing table groove, but every bone kept the same down.
